[Sharon and the fake heir definitely don't know each other. The guy just lost the top university spot, so now he's trying little tricks to get Sharon's attention. He's so shameless, always trying to steal the real heir's girl!]

Seduce her?

The thought was ridiculous. What nonsense!

Without saying a word, I straightened the desk Laura had kicked crooked. I took an eraser and rubbed out the little butterfly I had drawn.

Under the mix of pity, contempt, and quiet amusement from my classmates, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked out of the classroom with my back straight.

My path had never depended on anyone's charity, and I had never needed to steal anything from anyone.

Soon, the admission letters were finalized.

The atmosphere inside the Clarks' residence shifted.

Horace became the center of attention. The glow of a top university wrapped around him like a shining medal, covering up every trace of his past rebellion and trouble.

Sebastian and Molly Clark hadn't smiled like this in months. When they looked at Horace, their eyes were full of pride.

"Horace, you make us so proud." Sebastian clapped him on the shoulder, his voice booming with satisfaction. "Ashford University physics department. That's more like it! That's what a Clark son should look like."

"Brian," Molly said, glancing at me with a sigh that sounded half disappointed and half dismissive, "we fed you and raised you for over ten years. You had the same schools, the same tutors. How did you end up with such a poor score? I'm just saying… Look at your brother, then look at you. Some people are just born different. There's no comparison."

Sebastian frowned, clearly irritated.

"You're not really a Clark by blood, and it shows. Your brain just doesn't work the same way. We thought that even without the bloodline, after all these years raising you, you'd at least make us proud.

"But look at you. You scored 1,500 and picked a second-rate college. You're absolutely hopeless."

Horace slipped his arm around Molly's and spoke gently, "Don't say that about Brian. North River State isn't that bad. After he graduates, he can become an accountant or something. A quiet, stable life would suit him."

The sympathy in his voice carried a sharp edge, like a needle poking at me.

The comments scrolled wildly in front of me.

[Haha, this is great! The Clarks finally see the fake heir for what he is!]

[A no-name college for a nobody. Perfect fit. The Clarks could've raised a dog for ten years and it probably would've turned out better. How is the fake heir this stupid?]

I listened quietly to every cutting remark, but didn't respond.

Fifteen hundred wasn't an amazing score, but it wasn't bad either. Still, if the fake heir wasn't the best one in the room, if I wasn't the so-called main character these comments kept talking about, then nothing I did would ever matter.

Before the admission letters arrived, I signed up for a national youth coding championship.

I also picked up a part-time job at a small coffee shop near the house.

I needed to save up tuition and living expenses.

In the mornings, while Horace was still asleep, I was already out the door.

At night, while my parents sat with him chatting about stories from Ashford University, asking questions, and sharing laughs, I dragged myself home exhausted.

I would swallow a few bites of cold leftovers, then shut myself in my room.

The glow of the computer screen lit the dark while I wrote code and debugged my competition project.

The comments never stopped mocking me.

[Oh, look, the fake heir's working hard. I bet he loves his job at the coffee shop.]

[Typing on a computer like you're the next Steve Jobs? Give it a rest.]

[Getting a taste of working-class life, huh? Probably good to get used to it early. That's about as far as you're going to go anyway.]

A few days later, the Clarks hosted a grand celebration for Horace's admission to Ashford University.

Prominent business figures from the city and across the state arrived, one after another, to offer congratulations to Horace, Sebastian, and Molly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Clark, congratulations! Your son getting into Ashford University is incredible. Like father, like son!"

"Horace has a bright future ahead of him. Looks like the Clarks have a worthy successor."

Sebastian and Molly beamed with pride.

Horace stood beside them in an expensive custom suit, looking like a prince surrounded by admirers. He accepted the praise with a reserved smile, chin slightly lifted.

At that moment, one of the guests asked curiously, "Mr. Clark, didn't you have another son? I thought there were two heirs in your family. Why isn't the other one here tonight?"

Sebastian's smile stiffened for a moment. His tone turned casual, almost dismissive.

"Oh, Brian? Don't mention it. His grades were a mess. He only got into an average in-state college. Nothing compared to Horace. An occasion like this probably feels awkward for him, so he chose not to show up."

Molly quickly added, "He's not our biological child, after all. Different genes, different results. His scores were quite a bit lower. He probably feels embarrassed, so he stayed away."

While Sebastian and Molly continued explaining things away and Horace basked in the compliments, the party slowly returned to its lively rhythm.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out near the entrance. The butler rushed into the hall, breathless, his voice shaking with excitement.

"Mr. and Mrs. Clark! The state officials are here. And there are a lot of university admissions officers with them!"

The room fell into stunned silence.

State officials? University admissions officers?

"They must be here for Horace," someone whispered. "There are plenty of early admission students, but only someone like Horace could attract attention from people at that level. I'm impressed!"

Sebastian and Molly were both shocked and delighted. They hurriedly straightened their clothes.

Horace lifted his back even straighter, the perfect smile spreading across his face as he prepared to receive this unprecedented honor.

A group of people in jackets quickly walked into the hall. Leading them was a senior official from the state education department.

Behind him followed several professors and recruiters wearing university badges on their chests.

Ashford University, Kingsbridge University, Bayview University, Redwood State University…

Representatives from nearly every top university in the country were there.

Sebastian's voice trembled with excitement as he hurried forward and reached out both hands.

"Mr. Roffe! Mr. Morrison! Welcome, welcome. Having all of you here tonight is truly an honor for our family."

Esmond Roffe, the Education Commissioner, immediately grabbed Sebastian's hand. His voice boomed with enthusiasm.

"Mr. Clark, congratulations! You've raised an incredible son. A true top talent for the country!"

Sebastian blinked, a little confused, and instinctively glanced toward Horace. "Mr. Roffe, you're too kind. Horace getting into Ashford University is certainly impressive, but it's not quite…"

"Horace?"

Esmond paused, looking slightly puzzled.

"Oh, your younger son? The one who got into Ashford University's physics department? Yes, I heard about that. Very good. Quite impressive."

He nodded politely.

But his attention had already drifted away, his eyes scanning the crowd, as if he were searching for something precious.

The guests exchanged confused looks.

It was obvious now. These important people hadn't come for Horace.

Horace himself had just opened his mouth to introduce himself, but he froze in place.

The color drained from his face.

At that moment, Esmond's gaze suddenly stopped at a corner of the hall.

He was looking at me.

I was standing there in simple clothes, still wearing the uniform from my shift at the coffee shop, not even having time to change.

Esmond's eyes lit up instantly. A broad smile spread across his face as he pushed through the crowd and strode toward me.

"There you are, Brian!"